Transfer Centre

Mikel Arteta: 'Alexandre Lacazette contract talks will begin soon'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 03 March 2021

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praises the recent form of Alexandre Lacazette and confirms that talks over a new deal for the French forward will soon begin.

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that talks between Arsenal and Alexandre Lacazette over a new contract "will happen soon".

The 29-year-old is into the final 18 months of his current deal and has this week been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium.

Lacazette leads the scoring charts for Arsenal with 11 goals in all competitions this season, including a penalty in the 3-1 win against Leicester City at the weekend.

Pressed about Lacazette's future at a news conference on Wednesday, Arteta reiterated that he wants the Frenchman to stay at the club.

"He's got a contract with us," Arteta told reporters. "He played really well the other week. It's exactly what we demand him to do.

"I am really happy with him and the discussions about his contract will happen soon and we'll see what happens. I hope that the players who are with contract are going to continue with us.

"Every case is going to be different and we will continue to assess that and we will make decisions relating to that."

Monaco are among the surprise rumoured contenders to sign Lacazette should he depart Arsenal in the summer, while Atletico Madrid have also registered an interest.